Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 122

Cordelia sat slumped at her desk, now changed into her cozy pajamas. Elbows planted firmly on the wood, she cradled her smartphone in her hands, awaiting a reply from the members of her social group chat.

Since yesterday, the question had been gnawing at her, who exactly was Everard? Even Sanderson, the guy who knew everyone in town, didn’t recognize the name. Could it be that Everard was a ghost, a figment of her Imagination?

This morning’s chat in the Pioneers Group sparked a realization, the group was a melting pot of professionals from various fields. Surely someone might know him, right?

But after she posted her question, the chat fell eerily silent.

After a torturous two–minute wait, a reply finally popped up.

Bland asked, [Lia, are you pulling our leg? How could you not know him?]

Cordelia blinked, her instincts telling her that Bland knew Everard. She typed back hastily, [Who is he?]

Silence fell over the group once again.

Just as she was about to probe further, another message came through.

Nolnterruptions said, [Never heard of him.]

Like an icebreaker, the message prompted a flurry of responses.

Pianoman said, [Nope, doesn’t ring a bell.]

Mathster replied, [A mystery to me.]

Painter said, [Who?]

Chef replied, [Not a clue.]

Others all replied, [No idea.]

Everyone chimed in except Louie Adams. Cordelia’s brow furrowed as she read the stream of ignorance, finally addressing Bland directly, [So, you’re the one who knows him, @Bland?]

Bland replied, [No, I definitely do not.]

was confused,

a brain fart. Got

was speechless, […]

this and nobody

[If anyone

the book “The Periodic Table” that she’d borrowed from her grandmother. The

flipped through the pages with

more true. She had thought her high school education was comprehensive and had even self–studied some college material, but compared to the

down on her efforts.

11:30 PM when Lorna brought her a cup of milk and honey. “Get some sleep, dear. You

good advice, nodded in

when a new message popped up on her phone,

why are you asking about

a moment before replying with

quickly, No way. Is

replied, [Yes, do you

minutes before sending back a cryptic message: [Be careful around him in real

keeping her distance? They hadn’t even been in contact

can’t stay away from him, my

about love, just as Lorna and Sanderson would. But how could she

decide, Louie replied,

meaning. After a moment’s thought, she responded: [Because “Love or

Louie went silent.

blinked for another ten minutes, but still no message. Was there a

see your granddad about a treatment tomorrow, and we can

knew. He actually

called him immediately, but Cordelia was patient by nature. If Louie said tomorrow, she would wait.

single word

set the phone down, dried her hair, and slipped into bed. Just as she was about to turn off the device, it rang, the

the screen, recognizing Everard’s number. What could he want at this late

familiar voice, more velvety than

voice seemed different in the nocturnal stillness, somehow more appealing. She hesitated before finally speaking. “What’s up?”

voice so soothing it seemed